New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani appointed Colombian Ana Maria Archila as head of the city’s Office of International Affairs. The decision places her in one of the most strategic positions in the municipal government, with responsibility for coordinating the relationship between the world’s financial capital and foreign governments, diplomatic missions, and multilateral organizations.
The appointment did not surprise those who follow local politics. Archila and Mamdani have maintained a relationship of friendship and political collaboration for years, forged in progressive campaigns and community organizing spaces. That closeness explains the mayor’s trust in an activist with a background in social justice to lead the city’s international outreach.
Colombian Ana Maria Archila elected new head of international affairs in New York
The Office of International Affairs is the bridge between the municipal administration and the world. From there, ties are coordinated with consulates, embassies, and the United Nations headquarters, located in the city. Global initiatives on climate change, migration, human rights, and economic development are also articulated there. It is not a ceremonial office. It is a platform of influence.
Archila’s arrival marks a change in tone. Traditionally, this position has been held by technical profiles or career diplomats. Mamdani chose a figure with roots in social activism and grassroots organizing. The message is clear: The city’s international policy must connect with the everyday struggles of its communities, especially immigrant communities.
The mayor has insisted that New York is a global city not only because of its economy, but because of its people. More than a third of its residents were born outside the United States.
In that context, the designation of a Latina woman, an immigrant, and someone with experience defending labor and civil rights carries an evident symbolic weight. It also has practical implications, because Archila knows firsthand the tensions faced by thousands of migrant families in the city.
The relationship between Mamdani and Archila is not recent. They coincided in progressive movement spaces and in electoral campaigns in New York State. She publicly supported several of his initiatives when he was a state legislator, and both participated in building broad coalitions to advance social reforms.
That political affinity translated into trust. In politics, loyalty and shared vision weigh as much as technical experience. Mamdani found in Archila an ally with management capacity, knowledge of the institutional apparatus, and credibility among social organizations. The designation reflects that convergence.
Archila, for her part, assumes the position with a direct message. She has defended the need for the city to use its international weight to promote fairer policies on issues such as decent work, gender equity, and migrant protection. She does not present herself as a traditional diplomat. She presents herself as an organizer who will now have a more powerful institutional tool.
Congratulations to Ana María Archila on her appointment to serve as Mayor Mamdani's Commissioner of International Affairs! Ana Maria will lead NYC’s engagement with the diplomatic community, and build relationships with governments and movements working to tackle inequality. pic.twitter.com/3TQ2YdbCp5
— NY Working Families Party (@NYWFP) February 17, 2026
New York: A city that projects itself to the world
New York competes and cooperates with other major global capitals. It maintains active relationships with cities in Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. It participates in international networks that discuss issues ranging from climate financing to housing policies. The Office of International Affairs coordinates these agendas and represents the city in strategic forums.
In this context, Archila’s experience in political negotiation and alliance-building may prove key. For years, she worked building bridges among unions, community organizations, and political leaders. That ability to weave networks is now an advantage in a space where multicultural dialogue is constant.
Her appointment also sends a message to Latin America and, in particular, to Colombia. A woman born in Bogota holds a high-profile position in the most influential city in the United States. For the Colombian and Latin American diaspora, she is a benchmark of social mobility and political participation.
The city faces budgetary tensions, migratory pressures, and internal debates over security and inequality. At the same time, it must maintain its global leadership. Archila will have to balance high expectations with concrete results.
Who is Ana Maria Archila?
Ana Maria Archila was born in Bogota and emigrated to the United States when she was 17 years old. She trained as an activist in community organizations and built a career of more than two decades defending the rights of immigrants and workers.
She was co–executive director of the New York Working Families Party, a progressive political force with influence in local and state elections. In 2022, she ran for Lieutenant Governor of the State of New York, which expanded her public recognition.
Her career has been marked by grassroots organizing, legislative advocacy, and the building of broad coalitions. She now assumes leadership of the Office of International Affairs with the direct backing of the mayor and with the task of projecting the city onto the global stage from a social justice perspective.
Her personal story, shaped by migration and activism, defines the approach she promises to bring to the position.